The original instrument and the following digest, which constitutes no part of the
legislative instrument, were prepared by Jeanne C. Johnston.
DIGEST
SB 48 Engrossed 2015 Regular Session Donahue
With respect to the Taylor Opportunity Program for Students (TOPS), present law provides that a
student, among other eligibility criteria, must have a composite ACT score equal to or higher than
the state average composite score, rounded to the nearest whole number, reported for the previous
year, but never less than 20 or an equivalent value on the SAT in order to receive a TOPS
Opportunity award.
Proposed law retains the requirement that a student have a minimum ACT score equal to or greater
than the state average, truncated to a whole number, but never less than 20.
Present law provides as follows relative to the amount awarded to TOPS recipients of Opportunity,
Performance, or Honors awards:
(1)For a recipient who attends a La. public college or university to pursue an academic
undergraduate degree or skill or occupational training, the award amount is an amount
determined by the La. Student Financial Assistance Commission (LASFAC) to equal the
tuition charged by the college or university attended.
(2)For a recipient who attends an eligible state nonpublic college or university, the award
amount is an amount determined by LASFAC to equal the weighted average amount of
amounts paid for students attending public colleges and universities that offer academic
undergraduate degrees at the baccalaureate level or an amount determined by LASFAC to
equal the weighted average of amounts paid for students attending public colleges and
universities who are enrolled in permitted skill or occupational training.
(3)For a recipient who is eligible to use the award at an out-of-state nonpublic college or
university to pursue an academic undergraduate degree, the award amount is an amount
determined by LASFAC to equal the weighted average of amounts paid for students
attending La. public colleges and universities that offer academic undergraduate degrees.
(4)For a student who is the recipient of an Opportunity, Performance, or Honors award who
enrolls in a cosmetology school registered by the La. State Board of Cosmetology or a
proprietary school licensed by the Board of Regents, the award amount is equal to the
amount determined by the LASFAC to equal the weighted average of amounts for students
attending public colleges and universities who are enrolled in the permitted skill or
occupational training.
(5)Provides an additional $200 per semester, or $400 per academic year, to a recipient of a
Performance Award, and provides an additional $400 per semester, or $800 per academic year, to a recipient of an Honors Award.
Relative to the amount of a TOPS-Tech Award, present law provides as follows:
(1)For a recipient who attends an eligible La. public college or university that does not offer an
academic undergraduate degree at the baccalaureate level or higher to pursue permitted skill
or occupational training, the award amount equals the actual cost of tuition.
(2)For a recipient who attends any other eligible postsecondary education institution, the award
amount equals the amount determined by LASFAC to equal the weighted average of amounts
paid for students attending public institutions who are enrolled in the permitted skill or
occupational training.
Proposed law provides that, beginning with the 2016-2017 award year:
(1)The amount awarded by the state to a student who is the recipient of any TOPS award shall
be equal to the award amount established for each respective award at the postsecondary
institution in which the student is enrolled for the 2015-2016 award year.
(2)The legislature may, by law, increase the amount awarded at a postsecondary institution in
any given award year to a student who is the recipient of any TOPS award.
(3)Any increase in award amounts at a postsecondary institution granted by the legislature shall
be established as the minimum amount to be awarded to a student who is the recipient of any
TOPS award, subject to any limitations on award amounts otherwise imposed by present law.
(4)The amount awarded to a student who is the recipient of any TOPS award shall not be less
than the amount paid for the previous award year at the postsecondary institution in which
the student is enrolled, subject to any limitations on award amounts otherwise imposed by
present law .
(5)Retains payment of the supplemental amounts established in present law for a recipient of
a Performance or Honors award.
Effective upon signature of the governor or lapse of time for gubernatorial action.
(Amends R.S. 17:3048.1(A)(1)(b)(i); adds R.S. 17:3048.1(Z))
Summary of Amendments Adopted by Senate
Committee Amendments Proposed by Senate Committee on Education to the original bill
1. Clarifies the method of calculating the state average composite ACT score.
2. Clarifies that TOPS award amounts are tied to the amount awarded at the postsecondary institution in which the student is enrolled.
3. Specifies that award amounts may be limited by other provisions of present law.